How the court ladies murmured with soft laughter, for no one had ever seen such a pretty sight. Not for any of them, not for the princess herself, had Topaz danced as he danced to-day.
"Ah," murmured the princess, "how much more powerful than the whip is love!"
When music and dancing had ceased, she smiled once more upon Gabriel, whose happy heart was full.
"Go now," she said, "and learn of your new duties; but the chief one you have learned already. It is to be faithful!"
CHAPTER XII
THE TALKING DOLL
Mr. Evringham's horseback rides in these days were apt to be accompanied by the stories, which Jewel related to him with much enthusiasm while they cantered through wood-roads, and it is safe to say that the tales furnished full as much entertainment at second hand as they had at first.
The golden dog had deeply impressed Jewel's fancy, and when she finished relating the story, her face all alight, Mr. Evringham shook his head.